Speaking at the New Statesman Northern Powerhouse Conference in Leeds, Steve Rotheram said:

“We are rightly planning for the long term and a zero carbon future, but we have to take urgent action now.  Climate change is real, as are the health risks of poor air quality, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.

“Across the world, innovative policies like a ‘Green New Deal’ are being discussed because progressives recognise the urgent need to act.“In my manifesto I pledged to create a Green Investment Fund to help the City Region meet my ambition of becoming zero carbon by 2040.

“I can confirm today that proposals will go before the Combined Authority on 8th March to create a £10m fund to invest in renewable energy projects and support our shift towards a low carbon economy.

“This extra investment will help us capitalise on existing position as a leader in renewable energy and support more high skilled green jobs in our region.”

The Low Carbon sector already contributes over £2bn to the Liverpool City Region’s economy, employing more than 22,000 people in 1,400 companies.

The city region is also well set to become the UK’s renewable energy coast, with one of the largest concentrations of off-shore wind turbines in the world, in Liverpool Bay.

It was designated as a Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering by central government in recognition of its continued potential in the low carbon and renewable sector.

And, working in partnership with government and industry, the city region is leading the way in developing the use of other cleaner fuels, like hydrogen power.

The Combined Authority has also established the Mersey Tidal Commission to look into ways of harnessing the power of the River Mersey as a source of clean, renewable, predictable energy for generations to come.